These Anti-Aging Serums Work Like Magic on Fine Lines, Dark Spots, and Dull Skin

No matter your skincare concern, these anti-aging serums will give you your best skin ever.

avon-anti-aging
Photo: Avon

Until the fountain of youth is available for purchase, anti-aging serums are one of the most effective ways to target everything from fine lines and wrinkles to loss of elasticity and hyperpigmentation. When used consistently, serums can improve skin tone, texture, and vitality.

Think of an anti-aging serum as a booster for your daily skincare program that provides an extra layer of benefits to the skin, says Shiri Sarfati, a licensed esthetician and co-president of Repêchage. "Face serums are formulated with a high concentration of key anti-aging ingredients, but are lightweight in formula so they can be layered under creams or lotions," she says.

Here, we've rounded up the best anti-aging serums to address everything you battle, from dullness and dryness to fine lines and pigmentation. Get ready for your most radiant, glowy skin ever. (But psst: you're already gorgeous as you are.)

Best for Acne-Prone or Sensitive Skin: Philosophy When Hope Is Not Enough Hydrating Antioxidant Serum

Philosophy When Hope Is Not Enough Hydrating Antioxidant Serum
philosophy.com

Hope can be a good thing when it comes to this lightweight, oil-free antioxidant and peptide serum. Apply it under your makeup and before bedtime to hydrate and brighten skin, and minimize the appearance of fine lines—without clogging pores. You'll also be happy to know that a portion of every product sold provides mental health funding for women.

To buy: $46; philosophy.com.

Best for Acne-Prone or Sensitive Skin: Tammy Fender Quintessential Serum

Saks
saks.com

If you wonder how so many celebrities and models maintain their glow and battle against uncomfortable breakouts, this face oil and nutritive serum is one of their many secrets. Though it's on the pricier side, it's worth it, since it works with a mix of all-natural and active ingredients to smooth pores and wrinkles, without clogging up your acne-prone pores.

To buy: $180; tammyfender.com.

Best Nighttime Serum: Dr. Hauschka Night Serum

Dr. Hauschka Night Serum
dr.hauschka.com

Developed by a renowned dermatologist, this under-$50 find is the ideal solution for those looking for an overnight serum. After cleansing and before moisturizing, apply this wonder-in-a-bottle to your pores. It's lightweight and oil-free, allowing pores to breathe while you sleep so you can wake up to more radiant skin.

To buy: $48; dr.hauschka.com.

Best Nighttime Serum: Sumbody Night Shift Full Octane Night Elixir

Sumbody Night Shift Full Octane Night Elixir
sumbody.com

Ever wonder why the term "beauty sleep" is so widely used? There's actually a little truth in it, since our skin cells heal while we're sleeping, making a nighttime anti-aging serum like this one a great bedtime companion. Full of vitamins and antioxidants, a drop will help minimize lines, wrinkles, and other problematic areas.

To buy: $95; sumbody.com.

Best for Dull Skin: Avon ANEW Vitamin C Brightening Serum

Avon ANEW Vitamin C Brightening Serum
avon.com

There's a reason Avon has been such a household name for generations: the brand's products are easy to understand and consistently receive rave reviews. This serum is no different, especially for those who feel as if their skin has become dull or lifeless. It has as much vitamin C as you would find in 30 oranges, adding color and vibrancy to your face. Consider it the new main squeeze in your skincare routine.

To buy: $44; avon.com.

Best for Dull Skin: La Roche-Posay Active Vitamin C 10% Wrinkle Cream

La Roche-Posay Active C10 Vitamin C Wrinkle Cream
target.com

Your go-to afternoon snack doesn't just help you resist your sugar cravings, but the vitamin C could do wonders for your skin. That is, when it's applied topically with this 100 percent pure vitamin C and hyaluronic acid anti-aging serum. It's lightweight and won't clog your pores, but will brighten up your overall appearance and smooth your uneven texture when used regularly.

To buy: $50; laroche-posay.us.

Best for Uneven Skin Tone: First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum 0.25% Pure Concentrate

First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum 0.25% Pure Concentrate
ulta.com

Not so fun fact: even if you wear sunscreen and hide under a big, floppy hat at the beach, dark spots can happen to anyone. More fun fact: you can minimize their appearance with this recommended product. Containing .25 percent pure retinol, this formula will have you subtly shedding layers of skin, revealing prettier and more even pores underneath. Though you probably want to pair with a moisturizer to fight against dryness, you'll start to see an improvement in your skin's overall texture and softness when used a few times a week before bed.

To buy: $58; ulta.com.

Best for Uneven Skin Tone: IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Anti-Aging Serum

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Serum
ulta.com

IT Cosmetics has attracted a cult following in recent years, thanks to creative products that tackle specific issues. Appropriately named, this super-light anti-aging serum will smooth out problematic or noticeable lines before you apply your foundation. It has peptides, caviar, and collagen, which work together to plump and smooth skin. For any uneven areas, the brand claims you'll see a difference in as soon as 10 days.

To buy: $29; itcosmetics.com.

Best for Dry Skin: MD Complete Wrinkle & Radiance Remedy

MD Complete Wrinkle & Radiance Remedy
amazon.com

If you tend to have drier skin, you could see lines sooner than your oily-prone friends. This serum doubles as a hydrator and moisturizer, meaning it's a win-win for your arid pores. It features retinol and peptides for smoothing and plumping, as well as vitamin C for brightening—all creating a shiner you.

To buy: $50; amazon.com.

Best for Dry Skin: Savor Beauty Carrot Rose Serum

Savor Beauty Carrot Rose Serum
nordstrom.com

When it comes to your skincare, natural is always better. That's why you'll love the velvet texture of this carrot and rose oil that doubles as a hydrating, gentle, anti-aging serum. Carrot works as an emollient that softens stubborn pores, while rose hydrates and clarifies any dry patches. Best of all, it's free of parabens, formaldehyde, synthetic fragrances/dyes, phthalates, and sulfates.

To buy: $74; savorbeauty.com.

Best Natural Anti-Aging Serum: Algenist Genius Liquid Collagen Serum

Algenist Genius Liquid Collagen
sephora.com

You can't liquify those teenage pores and reapply a few decades later, but you can enjoy the benefits of "liquid collagen" with this anti-aging serum. This vegan product has 13,000 microalgae oil beads that are both natural and sustainable, including omegas 3, 6, and 9. You'll see brighter pores, softer skin, and a happier reflection.

To buy: $115; sephora.com.

Best Natural Anti-Aging Serum: Tata Harper Rejuvenating Anti-Aging Serum

Tata Harper Rejuvenating Anti-Aging Serum
sephora.com

This award-winning anti-aging serum is jam-packed with a slew of all-natural ingredients that are trusted by dermatologists and celebrities. It's meant for those with advanced signs of aging, and utilizes more than a dozen ingredients (all sourced from the brand's organic farm) to hydrate, plump, and smooth.

To buy: $146; sephora.com.

Best Luxury Anti-Aging Serum: Clé de Peau Beauté Concentrated Brightening Serum

Cle de Peau Beaute Concentrated Brightening Serum
nordstrom.com

We couldn't resist this as a top pick for those seeking brighter, firmer, smoother skin. Plenty of five-star reviews and dermatologist endorsements make this anti-aging serum worth the investment. It helps control dullness and tired pores, as it firms your skin, giving you a more radiant and fresh-faced look.

To buy: $205; cledepeaubeaute.com.

Best Luxury Anti-Aging Serum: Joanna Vargas Supernova Serum

Joanna Vargas Supernova Serum
nordstrom.com

Celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas wanted to create an anti-aging serum that could uptick firmness, brighten the clarity of skin, and provide a younger glow. Her creation is this lightweight, luxury formula that features retinol as the main player. However, she went with a gentler version, so you won't have to worry about redness or flaking, and you can even use it as an anti-aging eye serum and on sensitive skin. Win-win!

To buy: $295; dermstore.com.

Related: Derms Rank the 10 Most Effective Anti-Aging Ingredients for Your Skin

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